Airbus creates coloring book to engage Mobile’s school children in aerospace industry

Airbus, the world-leading aircraft manufacturer, has authored a new coloring book about its A320 Family assembly line that is being constructed at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, in Mobile, Alabama. The book, entitled “Ready for Takeoff”, tells the story of the Airbus A320 aircraft and its assembly as seen through the eyes of a dog named Rivet, who lives with a local Mobile family.

To mark the anniversary of Airbus groundbreaking event that took place on April 8, 2013, copies of the coloring book will be distributed to 18,500 students in the kindergarten and first grades in Mobile and Baldwin County schools. Through this book, children and their families will be able to learn more about Airbus and the A320 as Rivet is told about the way aircraft are built.

“This project represents the future of Mobile and the Gulf Coast -- what better way to celebrate the anniversary of our groundbreaking than sharing the Airbus story with local children,” said Michelle Hurdle Director of Economic and Community Development, Airbus Americas, Inc. “They will be able to color the characters and aircraft depicted in the book along with other activities such as a word-find, a maze, and designing their own A320. Airbus has received a lot of media attention over the last year with our groundbreaking, job announcements and construction progress. We hope this book gives young children a chance to learn more about the project they see on TV or hear adults discussing.”

The new Airbus Assembly Line, located at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, will be the first U.S.-based production facility for the company. It will assemble and deliver single-aisle aircraft from the A320 Family. This Airbus Assembly Line represents a $600 million investment and will contribute to the redevelopment of the Gulf Coast region. It will create some 1,000 American jobs while also strengthening the overall U.S. aerospace industry. Aircraft assembly will begin in 2015 with the first deliveries taking place in 2016. By 2018, between 40 and 50 A319, A320 and A321 aircraft are expected to be produced each year in Mobile, with the majority of them being delivered to North American customers.

Airbus already has a strong and growing presence in Alabama. The company operates an Engineering Center in Mobile employing more than 200 engineers and support staff. The Airbus Group also supports U.S. Coast Guard aircraft from its North American military customer services operation in Mobile.